New York

The Best of Theater in New York

Program No. 11921RJ
From Broadway to Off-Broadway to behind-the-scenes of Broadway, dive deep into the world of New York theater as you take in three performances and meet with theater professionals.

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At a Glance

Hit the streets of the Great White Way and discover the excitement of New York’s incredible theater scene, from Broadway events to the adventurous Off-Broadway stage and beyond. Get an inside look at a world ordinary members of the audience never see as you spend five days immersed in New York theater and in personal encounters with those who help create it.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles per day with stairs. Public transportation used exclusively throughout program as needed.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

What You'll Learn

  • Attend a musical, a drama and an Off-Broadway show.
  • Explore Times Square’s theatrical history.
  • Enjoy a behind-the-scenes discussion of the page-to-stage process with a producer, director or theater manager.

General Notes

Performances are decided about six weeks in advance, when we purchase the tickets. We strive for a well balanced program incorporating the newest productions. We seldom attend shows that have been on Broadway more than a year or are traveling.
Featured Expert
All trip experts
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Daniel Egan
Daniel Egan has degrees in music theory from St. Olaf, the Eastman School of Music and Yale, where he is on faculty. He has appeared as soloist or ensemble singer with the New York Philharmonic, Opera Orchestra of New York, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and was in the permanent ensemble at New York City Opera. His recordings include “Sweeney Todd” with the New York Philharmonic and backup vocals for Patti Page’s "Live at Carnegie Hall: The 50th Anniversary Concert.” Both earned Grammy nominations.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Profile Image of Daniel Egan
Daniel Egan View biography
Daniel Egan has degrees in music theory from St. Olaf, the Eastman School of Music and Yale, where he is on faculty. He has appeared as soloist or ensemble singer with the New York Philharmonic, Opera Orchestra of New York, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and was in the permanent ensemble at New York City Opera. His recordings include “Sweeney Todd” with the New York Philharmonic and backup vocals for Patti Page’s "Live at Carnegie Hall: The 50th Anniversary Concert.” Both earned Grammy nominations.
Profile Image of Stephen Cole
Stephen Cole View biography
Stephen Cole is an internationally produced, published and recorded writer. As librettist and lyricist, Mr. Cole has had his musicals produced Off-Broadway and in London. Besides writing 10 years of Drama League tributes — honoring Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera, among others — Stephen has written for such stars as Tyne Daly and Valerie Harper. Stephen has published three books, including “That Book About That Girl,” the unofficial companion to the Marlo Thomas sitcom from the 1960s.
Profile Image of Karl Baudendistel
Karl Baudendistel View biography
A New York City resident for more than 25 years, Karl Baudendistel loves sharing his knowledge of the city with visitors from around the world. Having spent 20 years overseeing ‘the business of show business’ for numerous Broadway and touring productions, chances are he’s been to a city near you. Karl is a member of The Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, is a trained sommelier and was educated at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
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Year
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Date
Dec 15 - Dec 19
  • Feb 17 - Feb 21
  • Mar 24 - Mar 28
  • Apr 07 - Apr 11
  • Apr 21 - Apr 25
  • May 05 - May 09
  • May 19 - May 23
  • Jun 02 - Jun 06
  • Jul 07 - Jul 11
  • Aug 04 - Aug 08
  • Sep 22 - Sep 26
  • Oct 06 - Oct 10
  • Nov 03 - Nov 07
  • Nov 17 - Nov 21
  • Dec 01 - Dec 05
  • Dec 15 - Dec 19
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Please Note: The program differs on certain dates.
Select trip year and date
2025
  • 2024
  • 2025
Dec 15 - Dec 19
  • Feb 17 - Feb 21
  • Mar 24 - Mar 28
  • Apr 07 - Apr 11
  • Apr 21 - Apr 25
  • May 05 - May 09
  • May 19 - May 23
  • Jun 02 - Jun 06
  • Jul 07 - Jul 11
  • Aug 04 - Aug 08
  • Sep 22 - Sep 26
  • Oct 06 - Oct 10
  • Nov 03 - Nov 07
  • Nov 17 - Nov 21
  • Dec 01 - Dec 05
  • Dec 15 - Dec 19
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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5 days
4 nights
9 meals
4 B 2 L 3 D
DAY
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner, Walk
New York, NY
D
Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central

Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration. After 4:00 p.m., come to the hotel’s boardroom located on the lower level to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. In the same space, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Group Leaders on our programs are highly trained and knowledgeable about many aspects of the city. We will also have the benefit of local experts who will provide information and commentary on areas of particular interest. If you wish to attend a theatrical performance beyond what is included in the program, you may want to order tickets in advance. The app TODAYTIX may be helpful in this regard. The fees are modest and significantly below those paid on Ticketmaster or Telecharge. If you don't mind waiting until you're in town, same-day tickets for many performances are available at 20% to 50% off regular prices at the TKTS Discount Booth. The Group Leader will give tips on how to utilize the booth during the Times Square Walk the morning of Day 2. See www.tdf.org for details. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: 6:00 p.m. We will walk to a neighborhood restaurant.

Evening: Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

DAY
2
Broadway Walk, Off-Broadway Theater Person & Show
New York, NY
B,L,D
Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central

Activity note: Use of New York City subway (depending on show location). Walking about 1 mile; city sidewalks.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll head out with our Group Leader expert for a walking field trip around the Times Square Broadway Theater District. We’ll then visit the Museum of Broadway. The museum is both a marvelous look at the history of Broadway from its earliest days right up to the present moment as well as an incredibly informative glimpse behind the scenes at all the different technical folks who make a show happen.

Lunch: At the hotel, we'll have boxed lunches with a choice of sandwich or salad, chips, sweet treat, fruit, water.

Afternoon: Regrouping in the hotel meeting room, we’ll meet a professional from the off-Broadway theater world. The off-Broadway theater movement started in the 1920s as a response to the commercialism of Broadway, often located in small spaces far from Times Square. Today, off-Broadway is still home to interesting, edgy, smaller works and/or works by upcoming playwrights. New York boasts several off-Broadway not-for-profit theater companies dedicated to this mission.

Dinner: At a restaurant near the theater.

Evening: Performance. We’ll attend an off-Broadway theater performance. (Depending on the location, we will either walk or take the subway.) Our program was planned far in advance when performance details were not confirmed. When available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.

DAY
3
Writing for the Musical Theater, Broadway Matinee
New York, NY
B,L
Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central

Activity note: Use of New York City subway (depending on show location). Walking about 1 mile; city sidewalks.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll learn about writing for the musical theater from our Group Leader, who is an accomplished writer for the musical theater.

Lunch: At a Theater District restaurant.

Afternoon: Performance. We’ll attend a matinee performance of a Broadway play. When performance details are available, the information will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment.

Dinner: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. You might like to grab a bite before catching another show on your own or dine at that special restaurant (advance reservations recommended).

Evening: At leisure. It’s New York. The possibilities are practically endless.

DAY
4
Theater History, Meet an Actor, Broadway Musical
New York, NY
B,D
Hampton Inn Manhattan/Times Square Central

Activity note: Use of New York City subway (depending on show location). Walking about 1 mile; city sidewalks.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll have two sessions this morning. First, our academic coordinator will lead a discussion of the two theatrical pieces we’ve seen thus far. Then, a theater historian will give us an illustrated lecture on the storied and rollicking history of Broadway.

Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Afternoon: We’ll meet a Broadway actor!

Dinner: We’ll walk to a neighborhood restaurant.

Evening: Performance. We’ll attend a Broadway musical. Performance details will be posted on the Road Scholar website under this program number when available and will also be included in preparatory materials sent following enrollment. Returning to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure after our closing session in the morning.

DAY
5
Wrap-up Session, Program Concludes
New York, NY
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 11:00 AM.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll gather with our Group Leader for a wrap-up session and lively discussion about our amazing theater experience. We expect to end by about 10:15 am. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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